This is really important; most rowers are also scholars. Rowing tends to be concentrated at universities known for academic rigor — the Ivies, the service academies, and selective public and private schools (like Stanford, Duke, Cal), so the culture prizes intelligence, composure, and teamwork as much as physical power. Also, because rowing is one of the most time-intensive sports, coaches look for disciplined, organized recruits who demonstrate that they can juggle both the grueling crew schedule and the books.
Admission standards are high for rowers; coaches can advocate, but they can’t override academic requirements especially at elite schools. Even at large state universities, coaches want athletes who can successfully handle the heavy schedule of practices, travel, and coursework.
So, I concur with @gardenstategal’s point that being able to focus on academics is key if the student will be looking at elite college programs.